True Pandemic Preparedness:
Health Care
Reform Now
by Patrick Kennedy
for The Huffington Post
The recent outbreak of the swine flu serves as a
stark reminder about the need for comprehensive health care reform
in this country. Every citizen in this country should have access
to affordable, high quality health care. Given the recent economic
downturn, the group of nearly 46 million Americans without health
insurance has grown by perhaps as many as 4 million. This population,
and the larger group with under-insurance in our country, are highly
susceptible to any pandemic outbreak. They are less likely to receive
early preventative care, early diagnosis, early treatment, and
due to financial fears, are less likely to take sick time from
work. Not only is such a large group of Americans without the resources
to combat a threat such as a pandemic flu for their own health
safety, but having such a large group of people without access
to proper care dramatically increases the risk of transmission
to the rest of the population. The realities of biology will not
let us separate into "us" versus "them" categories.
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the rest in The Huffington Post]
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Dear Friends:
It is a privilege and honor to be re-elected by the
people of Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District for another
term. Here in Rhode Island, voter turnout set a new record, demonstrating
a renewed sense of civic participation among our state's citizens.
I have talked with many Rhode Islanders about their concerns on
many critical issues that are affecting their daily lives and the
future for their children: the economy, health care, education
and our nation's stagnant energy policies. I am eager to get back
to work and tackle these issues with President-elect Obama and
my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in Congress. It is time
to rework our economy by rebuilding the middle class, investing
in our nation's transportation infrastructure, and developing a
strategy for energy independence. We also need to protect the fabric
of our society by ensuring that all Americans have access to affordable,
quality health care and putting children first by investing in
education.
Mindful of this week's historic election, I am confident that by
working together we as a nation will surmount the challenges ahead
and emerge on a course that will enhance the future for generations
to come.
Thank you again for your support. If you would like to stay in
touch, please visit my web site and register to receive my e-newsletters.
And as always, I hope you will share your ideas and feedback with
me.
Sincerely,
Patrick J. Kennedy
Member of Congress
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